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Body Image in Older Adulthood

The purpose of the current project was to propose an integrative model of body image development as well as develop and validate a quantitative measure for assessing body image satisfaction among older adults, aged 65+. In the process of validating the new scale, answers to the following questions were also sought.

  1. Are there significant differences in body image satisfaction as people age, between 65 and 85 years?
  2. Are there significant gender differences in the body image satisfaction as people age, between 65 and 85 years?
  3. What is the relationship between measures of body image and body-mass index, self-esteem, depression, self-rated health status, life satisfaction, physical activity, and loneliness in older adulthood? Is this relationship the same for males and females along the age continuum surveyed?
  4. Which body image variable(s) best predict life satisfaction? Are they the same across gender?
  5. Which image variable(s) best predict self-esteem? Are they the same across gender?

Following a rigorous process of scale development and validation, which incorporated grassroots qualitative focus groups with older adults, an exhaustive review of relevant literature, and consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Body Image Scale – Older Adults (BIS-OA) was developed and administered to a random sample of 243 older adults.

In relation to question (a), it was found that there were no significant differences on measures of body image across age groups (i.e., 65-71, 72-78, and 79-85 years). In answer to question (b), pertaining to gender differences in body image satisfaction as people age, significant differences were found. Regarding question (c), which asked about relationships between body image and a range of variables as a function of age and gender, a range of results was found, some in accord with predictions and existing literature, others not. Results relating to research questions (d) and (e), indicated that there were body image variables that best predict life satisfaction and self-esteem but that these differed as a function of age and gender.

It was concluded that body image plays a significant role across the lifespan and, contrary to stereotypical views. is not less relevant in later life. Men were more sensitive to aspects of physical functioning and women were more concerned about appearance. The BIS-OA is a 19-item scale that assesses possible incongruence between body reality and body ideal.

Funding agency

School of Arts and Humanities: PhD Research Support

Project duration

2007 – 2010

Publications

  • Baker, L. & Gringart, E. (2011). Body image in older adulthood: Development and validation of a new integrative model and quantitative measure. Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing.
  • Baker, L. & Gringart, E. (2012). Appearance in later life. In N. Rumsey & D. Harcourt (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of the psychology of Appearance. Oxford University Press.
  • Baker, L., & Gringart, E. (2009). Body image and self-esteem in older adulthood. Ageing and Society, 29, 977-995. (SCImago H index 49) ERA (Q1)

Presentations

  • Baker, L. & Gringart, E. Development and Validation of the Body Image Scale for Older Adults. 43rd
  • National Conference of the Australian Association of Gerontology, Hobart, TAS (2010).
  • Baker, L. & Gringart, E. Development and Validation of the Body Image Scale for Older Adults.
  • Gerontological Society of America: 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, MA, United States (2011).

Researchers

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